Tara Mantra

For many years, I have loved the Tara mantra.  In fact, I took the 21 Praises of Tara training with Prema Desara.  It's a mantra I often sing during meditation, or when I'm stringing prayer beads.  A few weeks ago I attended a Dances of Universal Peace retreat and learned a new-to-me tune for the Tara Mantra, especially for the Fierce Compassion aspect of the goddess. 

I recorded the mantra so that I wouldn't forget it, and several people have asked to hear it.  So, I'm going to post it here.

If you are unfamiliar with the mantra, the words are Om Tare, Tuttare, Ture Svaha.

Weed Walk with Sarah Tomorrow Morning!

Thinking that I'll take my herbal apprentices on an informal weed walk tomorrow. If you'd like to join us, we'll meet at the parking lot for Kiwanis Pavilion 21 in the Lancaster County Park at 10:30. Cost will be $10. Bring a notebook and camera if you are inclined.

Let's Make a Corn Dolly!

Come make a corn dolly with organic farmer & magical crafter, Beth Weaver-Kreider

Sunday afternoon, August 11, 2013 from 3 until 5pm
in the garden at Herbs from the Labyrinth

A corn dolly is a small figure made of corn husks or straw. Corn dollies are part of the folk customs surrounding the grain harvest in Great Britain and much of Europe. In that part of the world, "corn" originally referred to any grain, especially wheat, and it is grain straw, that goes into making corn dollies. When European colonists came to North America, they brought the tradition with them and began using corn husks, the sacred grain of this land.  In this context, the word "dolly" is probably a variation of the word "idol."
In Europe, it was believed that the spirit of the corn lived in the growing crop, and the dolly gave the corn spirit shelter after the crop was harvested. The dolly was usually burned or ripped apart in the fields before planting time the next spring. Destroying the dolly released the spirit and allowed it to aid another successful harvest.
Join us on Sunday, August 11 at 3pm, in the garden at Herbs from the Labyrinth, LLC, at 1053 Wheatland Avenue, Lancaster. 
Cost of the class is $25.  To register, call Radiance at 717-290-1517, or stop in whenever the shop is open, 9 W Grant St, in downtown Lancaster, across the cobblestones from historic Central Market.

Herbal Fermentations with Ben Weiss, Saturday, August 17

Herbal Fermentations

A workshop at Radiance with local home-brewer,

Benjamin Weiss.

Saturday, August 17th, 1-5PM

Only within the last few centuries did hops become the main herbal ingredient in beer. From very ancient times until nearly the present, cultures around the world have been making fermented beverages with an incredible variety of herbs, fruits, sugar sources and other ingredients. Fermented beverages can serve as much more than just an enjoyment. These drinks can preserve the nutritional and medicinal properties of their ingredients for up to several years, and can play a key role in ritual and spiritual practice.

Benjamin Weiss, a local organic farmer, permaculture teacher, and poet has been experimenting with herbal fermentations for the past 7 years. Inspired by Stephen Buhner’s book Sacred & Herbal Healing Beers, Ben has learned to craft medicinal fermentations of many kinds using mostly local, organic, and wild ingredients.

This class will be useful for those who have little or no experience with brewing, and as a source of fascinating new knowledge for experienced brewers. Students will participate in the creation of an herbal beer as well as a mead (honey wine), and will see fermentations in all of the different stages of the brewing process. Basic techniques and equipment will be explained, as well as medicinal, nutritive, and ritual functions of brews, choosing, harvesting and obtaining ingredients, and pairing appropriate flavors. And an array of Ben’s finished beverages will be available for sampling!

This class will be held in the Herbs from the Labyrinth kitchen and garden, on Wheatland Avenue in Lancaster.  A few books and kits will be available for sale at the class. To register, call Radiance, 717-290-1517, or stop in to 9 W Grant St, Lancaster.

Cost of the class is $40.  Advance registration is required.

Barefoot Season is Here!

It's time to expose our toes!  And our heels... I've just made some Peppermint Foot Creme with gentle exfoliation (thanks to Apricot kernal meal).  The final smoothing touch to your personal pedicure...

Baltimore Herb Festival This Saturday!

We will have our vending tent set up at the Baltimore Herb Festival this Saturday!  This is a really wonderful outdoor herb fair around a shady loop road in beautiful Leakin Park.  Wonderful plants, herbal products, garden art & herbal crafts.  Live music all day, delicious food, even a few interesting talks.  Come see us!

Want to Be a Garden Apprentice?

For quite a few years, I have taken on Garden Apprentices from Spring thru Fall. I haven't taken any for the past two years because my garden schedule was too unpredictable, but am ready to accept a few this year. We will work in the garden for a few hours most Mondays (with some flexibility for weather & travel) doing whatever needs to be done. We will plant, weed, prune, harvest & make medicine. I will teach by talking about what we are doing, what we encounter & by answering questions. No money changes hands. You will receive herbal experiences & deepen your plant knowledge; I will receive the help I need in the garden. It is an arrangement that works well for all... Tomorrow morning at 10, I will be in the garden. If you think you might be interested, let's talk...